«How difficult it is to say ‘this is how far I have come’. How difficult it is to detach myself from what is my whole life. Before it would have been soon, and afterwards it would have been late. With these words Joaquín Sánchez, Betis myth and iconic player of Spanish football in recent years both on and off the pitch, explained the feelings that have gone through his head at the time of putting an end to a career in which he has He has been a Verdiblanco myth, an icon for his extroverted character and an example of professionalism and longevity.
Surrounded by his family, family, friends, managers, coaching staff and Betis teammates, the Verdiblanco captain appeared before the media visibly moved. An endless number of memories were going through his head at that moment, but especially the first day, the call from the then Betic coach, Fernando Vázquez, to join the first team for the first time. «He called me to join the first team. I called my father to tell him that I was already a player for the best team in the world, Real Betis Balompié,” he recalled through tears, returning to that summer of 2000 in which he became part of the team of his life, then in hell. of the Second Division.
With this group made up of Prats, Denilson, Benjamín Zarandona, Capi, Cañas or Amato and directed in the first instance by the Galician Fernando Vázquez and later by another Villamarín legend, Luis del Sol, the team of the 13 bars returned among the best in the Spanish football with 38 games and 3 goals from Joaquín. The story of the most iconic Betic footballer of the 21st century was brewing.
“Thanks to the Betic fans, which is what gives meaning to this club, that of the ‘manque perdere’,” he said next, reaching for the knot of his tie, although the knot was in his throat. She looked complicitly towards Rafael Gordillo, another symbol of Beticismo, another priceless ambassador of the Heliópolis club and his values.
«Do not see the one that Gordillo gave me to keep going. They knew that he could continue enjoying football and we did so. He in his stage was Betis. To me he was my older brother. I am glad that the new sports city of Betis bears your name, “he said in reference to the former Betis and Real Madrid footballer.
«Joaquín leaves, but Betis stays. He is eternal. Long live Betis”, concluded the Verdiblanco ’17’, who has the challenge of overcoming Andoni Zubizarreta and becoming the player with the most matches in the First Division before making the definitive leap to television, where his ingenuity will surely will bring another outstanding career away from the grass.
2023-04-20 12:40:07
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